Harrington Park Historical Society Presents Lecture on Palisades Interstate Park

The Harrington Park Historical Society begins its lecture series for 2025-2026 on Thursday, September 26, 2025 with their returning guest speaker, Francesca Costa, presenting “An Oft Repeated Anecdote.” We often hear the phrase “Rockefeller built this park!” … Or did he?  Public Historian Francesca Costa busts some common myths about the Palisades, Rockefeller, and undisturbed views. After all is said and done, an even richer story lies under the surface.

The Palisades Interstate Park is a 2,500-acre protected area in New Jersey, featuring a 12-mile stretch of cliffs along the Hudson River with trails for hiking and cycling, scenic overlooks like State Line Lookout and Fort Lee Historic Park, and several picnic areas and boat basins. Established to prevent development of the iconic cliffs, the park preserves natural, historic, and cultural resources for public recreation and education, offering activities such as boating, fishing, cross-country skiing, and sledding.  It is a gem not very far from our backyard and is worth learning about, and exploring its vast treasures!

Ms. Costa, a full time public historian at the Palisades Interstate Park, graduated from Gettysburg College in 2019. She continued to work there as she earned her graduate degree from the University of Edinburgh.  In addition to her responsibilities at the Park, she frequently lectures to various civic organizations, schools, and historic societies.

The public is invited to attend at no cost.  The meeting will start 7:30 P.M. at the Harrington Park Boro Hall, 85 Harriot Avenue.  Please note we have moved from the Harrington Park Library to the Harrington Park Boro Hall for our meetings, and we will meet generally on the fourth Thursday of the month. However, be sure and check the dates we are meeting since we must schedule our meetings around the Boro’s usage of the building.  Please join us for our inaugural meeting in our new home on September 25th! Immediately following the presentation, there will be a meet and greet along with light refreshments.

For more information go to www.harringtonparkhistoricalsociety.com, or call Gerri Gibney at 201 768-2615